Studio Sessions

We examine how digital culture's promise of frictionless perfection has created unrealistic expectations that we unconsciously apply to relationships, creativity, and life itself. The conversation ex…

We look at  David Foster Wallace's "This is Water" commencement speech, examining its central themes of awareness, ego death, and the daily struggle against our "default settings." What starts as a d…

Part two of two. 

We explored the cultural tension between our fascination with the past and uncertainty about the future, using the metaphor of returning to an earlier video game save point when the …

Part one of two.

We once again dive into the tension between artistic integrity and algorithmic demands in today's creator economy. As YouTube's algorithms continue evolving in 2025, prioritizing enga…

We examine whether culture has actually become decentralized or if we just live in isolated "slivers" while still being shaped by the same underlying systems. Starting with observations about feeling…

We dive deep into the seductive promise and hidden costs of AI technology and the question that haunts every creative: what are we trading away for convenience? Through our exploration, we examine ho…

We examine what happens when the feeling that "anything is possible" starts to fade from creative life. Starting with the mythology of Los Angeles and its role in manufacturing dreams, we dig into th…

We examine the tension between creative expression and commercial necessity in the digital age. We explore how the pursuit of expensive camera gear and equipment can become a substitute for actual cr…

In this episode, we discuss the responsibility artists feel to give back through their work after being influenced by others. We share stories of stepping outside our comfort zones—including a chance…

In this episode, we examine how comfort can become a creative liability. Through conversations about films, road trips, and creative production, we explore the paradox that meaningful work often requ…

We explore the fundamental impulse that drives us to create and communicate through our art. Inspired by Bruce Springsteen's reflection that his need to express himself is "as reliable as the rhythmi…

Fair warning: this episode meanders a bit as we jump around – but that's just how it goes sometimes <3. We explore the relationship between creativity and physical spaces, examining how third places …

We often find ourselves drawn to practices that shape our daily lives—not because they promise grand outcomes, but because they ground us in the moment and make us feel alive. Whether it’s meditating…

In this episode, we explore the tension between authenticity and evolution in creative projects. Beginning with a discussion about potentially refreshing our visual identity, we dive deeper into exam…

We dive into metta-meditation—cultivating goodwill toward strangers—and explore how shifting our mindset can dissolve anger and frustration. We unpack the concept of sonder: the profound realization …

We compare different ways of looking back at our past creative work - from screenplays and videos to photographs and stories. While Matt vividly remembers the emotions and intentions behind each proj…

This episode delves into the concept of paradox and its implications for navigating a binary world. We explore the limitations of either/or thinking and the importance of embracing duality, where see…

In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of managing multiple creative pursuits and the intensity that comes with feeling behind in life's various domains. We dive deep into the contrast betw…

We discuss how metrics and algorithms affect creative work and personal authenticity. Our conversation covers moving past formulas that prioritize views and engagement, exploring instead what happens…

In this discussion, we explore how we often settle for “good enough” in our creative work and daily lives. We break down how easy it is to choose the immediate comfort of indulgence over the tougher …